Index-cutting machine.



INDEX GUT'IINGr4 MACHINE. l PPLIcA'IIoII FILED JULY 15. 1907.

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INDEX CUTTING MACHINE:

APPLICATION I' BD J 1L UL Y15 1907 11 SHEETS-SHEET 2v 55 N il 51 l 760 y50 y: s't a l C V 35 7g3 735 736 i A I 30 LM ,I ll una? u? "i fl MPATENTED JUNE 2, 1908.

I PATENTED JUNE 2, 1908. P. P. RosBAoK.

INDEX CUTTING MACHINE.

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INDEX CUTTING MACHINE.

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No. 889,401` YATENTED JUNE Z, 1908.

P. P. ROSBAGK.

, INDEX CUTTING MACHINE.

APPLIOTION FILED JULY 15, 1907.

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TATTNTND JUNE 2, 1908. T. P. ROSBAGK.

INDEX CUTTING MACHINE.

APPLIUATlON FILED JULY 15, 1907.

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No. 889,401. V PATEN'IED JUNE 2, 1908. F. P. ROSBA-GK.

INDEX CUTTING MACH/INE.

IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII o 7 11 sm TTTTTTTTTT o4 FREDERICK P. ROSBACK,OF BENTON HARBOR, MICHIGN.

IN DEX-CUTTING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June' 2, 1908.

Application :filed .Tuly 15, 1907. Serial No. 383,745.

To all whom it 'may concern:

Be it known that I, FREDERICK P. ROS- BACK, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Benton Harbor, in the county of Berrien and State ofMichigan, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Index-CuttingMachines, of which the following is a specification..

My invention relates to an improvement in the class of machines forcutting the edges of sheets either before or after binding them intobooks, pamphlets, or other form to provide thereon tabs used forindexing.

The more important objects of my invention are to provide means forcausing the step-byestep feed of the worleholding carriage withreference to the reciprocating cutter to provide for arresting the feedof the carriage whilethe cutter continues tov reciprocate, thereby toenable the cutting to be performed repeatedly at the same point on thework; to enable the number of sheets to be cut in each operation of themachine to be -automatically indicated to the operator; to

facilitate removal out of'the path of the cutter of sheets that havebeen cut preliminary to introducing into its path other sheets to becut; and to provide a machine in the class referred to, improved indetails of construction and combinations of parts` Referring to theaccompanying drawings Figure 1 is a view in front elevation of myimproved machine, showing thev operating parts in the positions theyassume between operations, that is, when at rest. Fig. 2 is a sideelevation of the machine viewed from the right hand side of Fig. 1,'Fig. 3, a similar view of the opposite side of the machine, showing thecarriage in transverse section. Fig. 4 is a perspective view, partlybroken and sectional, showing the drive shaft of the machine with camsmounted thereon and containing a crank-section,- Fig. 5, a transversesection through the shaft and clutch showing the clutch-operating leverin elevation, the section being taken at the line 5 on Fig. 1, viewed inthe direction of the arrow and enlarged; Fig. 6, a broken section takenat the line 6 on Fig. 5 and viewed in the direction of the arrow; Fig.7, a perspective view of the sliding clutch-b ar, shown enlarged overthe representation in preceding figures, and Figs. 8 and 9 are sectionalviews through the drive-shaft at the clutch, illustrating details of thelatter, the sections being taken, respectively, at the lines 8 and 9 onFig. 6

and viewed in the direction vof the arrows.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged broken sectional view Showing in elevation one ofthe two devices employed for producing the step-by-step feed of thework-holding carriage Fig. 11, a broken View toothed, or stop-rack,wheel for producing the step-by-step feed, and the o erating lever forthe wheel, and Fig. 12, an en arged broken sectional view showing thelocking-pin device for the wheel, the section being taken at the line 12on Fig. 11 and viewed in the direction of the arrow. Fig. 13 shows thecarriage-feeding mechanism by a broken View in sectional elevation, thesection being taken at the irregular line 13-13 on Fig. 1 and regardedas indicated by the arrow, and Fig. 14 is a section taken at the line 14on Fig. 13 and viewed in the direction of the arrow, showing thefriction-clutch on the shaft of the carriage-feeding mechanism fortemporarily arresting the feed while the. reciprocating cutter isoperating. Fig. 15 1s a broken perspective view showing another devicefor producing the step-by-step movement of the carriage when the stepsvary in length, to effect feeding of the carriage accordingly to causetabs of different len ths to be cut on the work. Fig. 16 is a bro ienview in vertical sectional elevation through the head of the machine,transversely of the shaft of the feed-mechanism, the section being takenat the line 16 on Fig. 17 and viewed in the direction of the arrow Fig.16a, a broken section taken at the line 16a on Fig. 16 and viewed in thedirection of the arrow; and Fig. 17, a section taken at the line 17 onFig. 16 and viewed in the direction of the arrow. Fig. 18 is an enlargedbroken view showmg the head of the machine 1n rear elevation, with thedial-device thereon; Fig. 19,

a plan section taken through the head at the line 19 on Fig. 18 andviewed in the direction of the arrow and Fig. 20, a section taken atythe line 20 on Fig. 1S and viewed in the direction of the arrow,showing the crank-portionV of the main driving shaft and rod connectingit with the reciprocating cutter-head, and also the dial-actuating meansconnected with the rod. Fig. 21 is an enlarged broken view showing thedial-device in sectional elevation, the section being taken at the line21 on Fig. 18 and viewed in the direction of the arrow Fig. 22 shows, inelevation, parts of the dial-device in unassembled relation, and Fig. 23is a face view of the dial. Figs. 24 and 25 showing in end elevation thelateral guide 31 and a rear guide 32 (Figs. 18

y with an annular recess 52,

and 19) for a vertically reciprocating head 33 carrying adjustably onits lower end a block 34 for the upper member 35 of the cutter, whichreciprocates relative to the lower stationary cutter-member 36 securedon the frame. These cutter-members are provided with end-sections 351and 361, respectively, extending at right angles to their main portionsfor a purpose hereinafter explained. On the front side of the frame areprovided arms 37 for supporting the inner rail 39 of a track 38, theouter rail 40 of which is connected with the rail 39 at intervals bytiebars 41, and sustained by truss-bars 42 extending from the framesides.

On a stud 43 rigidly supported to extend from a side-member of the frame3() is journaled a belt-pulley 44 carrying a pinion 45 on its hub,meshing with a gear-wheel 46 loosely mounted on the drive-shaft 47. Thisshaft contains a crank-section 48 and carries cams 49 and 50, forpurposes hereinafter explained; and it is journaled in suitable bearingsprovided in the frame-sides. The hub 51 of the gear 46 is provided inits inner face in the base of which are secured at equal distances apartabout the shaft, similar clutch-pins 53 extending at their outer endsflush with the cor-v responding edge of the annular wall about therecess. Adjacent to the hub 51 is pinned to the shaft a collar 54 (Figs.4 to 8, inclusive) containing a circumferential groove 55 and providedon its inner end with an annular recess 56 about the shaft in which isconfined at one end a curved spring 57 to bear at its free end againstthe adjacent grooved extremity of a longitudinally reciprocableclutch-bar 58. This clutch-bar works in a passage 59 formed lengthwisethrough the collar 54 to extend at opposite sides of the groove 55therein, and has a rounded outer end and a central transverse recess 69,one side of which is convexly curved, as represented in Fig. 7. In thebase-portion of the frame is journaled a rock-shaft 61 carrying atreadle 62, which is connected by a coiled spring 63 with a rigid partof the frame at 64. The rock-shaft carries on its outer end an arm 65,to the upper extremity of which is bolted, to extend at a right-angle toit, a finger 66 provided in its extremity with an arc-shaped recess 67conforming to the base of the groove in the collar 54, against which thetension of the spring 63 tends to hold it and this finger is beveledtoward one edge as represented at 68. (Figs. 6 and 8).

The pulley 44 1s under constant rotation in the operation of themachine, but does not drive the shaft 47, by its gear-connectiontherewith, because of the loose mounting thereon of the gear 46, exceptwhen the treadle 62 is depressed, because otherwise the finger 66extends through the recess 60 in the bar 58 and holds the latterretracted against the force of the spring 57, out of the path of theprojecting ends of the clutchpins 59. By depressing the treadle,however, the rock-shaft 61 is turned in opposition to the spring 63 towithdraw, by the consequent turning of the arm 65, the finger 66 fromthe recess 60 and free the spring 57 to permit it to shoot theclutch-bar into the path of the pins 53, one of which, in the rotationof the gear, will encounter the projecting drive-shaft until the treadleis released to permit the recoill of the spring 63 to return the fmger66 into the recess 60 in the bar 58 when the bar-recess comes' intocoincidence with the retracting. finger in the continued rotation of theshaft, whereupon the linger enters the recess in the clutch-bar andretracts the latter from the path of the pins 53.

On a horizontal track 38 (Fig. 13) is reciprocably mounted a carriage 69carrying centrally on its lower face a longitudinal rack 70 havingdownwardly projecting teeth 7l at uniform distances apart and extendingparallel with the rack 70, along the bottom of the carriage near itsinner side, is a rack-bar 72. Depending rigidly from a cross bar 73,which extends between the framesides of the machine and carries thelower stationary cutter-member 36, is an elongated sleeve 74 extendingcrosswise of the cutter, in which is journaled the feed-shaft 7 5, shownto be provided on its forward end with a crank-wheel 76 and carrying apinion 77 in mesh with the rack 72. 1n a circular housing 78 (Fig. 16)rigidly supported on the bracket which carries the sleeve 7 4, isloosely mounted on the feed-shaft a pinion 79 and similarly mounted aratchet 80, engaged by a spring-pressed dog 81 pivoted on the rear faceof the pinion, the ratchet being confined between a pair offriction-washers 82 (preferably of leather) about the shaft, embracedbetween metal washers 83, these washers and the ratchet between thembeing clamped together against the face of the pinion 79 by a nut84.screwed upon the rear end of the shaft and held by a jam-nut 85. Themetal washers 83 are keyed to the feedshaft, as indicated in Fig. 13, torotate with it. Thus by driving the pinion 79, its frictional engagementwith the shaft will rotate the latter unless the strain be excessive,when the leather washers will slip against end of the bar and thusrotate theA the metal Washers. With the inion 79 engages a vertical rack86 rigid y depending from the rear face of the head 33 to one side ofthe vertical center thereof, this head being reciprocated by itsconnection with the crank 48 on the shaft 47 through the medium of aconnecting-rod 87 provided on its upper end with a head 88, at which itis pivotally connected with lugs 89 on the back of the reciprocatinghead 33 of this machine. A rigid finger 90 (Fig. 17) extends from aframeside and is provided with a beveled forward end, affording a cam91, in the path of the free end of the dog 81 to disengage the latterfrom the ratchet 80, as and for the purpose hereinafter explained.

As-will be understood from the foregoing description of the mechanism,by rotation of the shaft 47 its crank 48 reciprocates the head 33carrying the knife 35. In each down-stroke of the head, (see Fig. 17)the shaft 75 is not turned because the engagement of the rack 8,6 withthe pinion 79 rotates the latter about the shaft in the direction toslide the spring-dog 81 over the teeth of the ratchet 80, while in theup-stroke of the head 33 the rack 86 rotates the pinion 79 in theopposite direction to engage the dog with the teeth of the ratchet,thereby rotating the feed-shaft through the frictional binding theretoof the ratchet. Vhen the dog encounters the cam-end of the finger 90 itis deflected out of engagement with the ratchet-wheel to discontinuerotation of the latter. This rotation of the shaft 75 by the action ofthe pinion 77 on the rack 72 actuates the carriage 38 inthe direction offeeding. The feeding of the carriage is required to be by step-by-stepmovement, and this is accomplished by either one of two means for thepurpose, the one being used where the step-movements of the carriage arerequired to be uniform, and the other, where the steps are required tovary in length.

Following is a description of the firstnamed means: On a stud 92 (Figs.10 and 11) extending horizontally from an arm 37 is fulcrumed anoffset-lever 94, one arm of which extends into the path of the cam 49 onthe drive-shaft, contact therewith being maintained by a coiled spring95 connecting the lever with the frame, and the opposite end carrying ahorizontal pin 96 on which is rotatably mounted a stop-rack wheel 97.This wheel is provided circumferentially with longitudinal rows ofstop-teeth 98, the number of teeth and their distance apart varying inthe different rows, though they are uniformly spaced apart in each row,except that a single stop-tooth is provided for one position of thewheel and that this single tooth does not, of course, constitute a row.Adjacent to the single tooth is a row consisting of two stopteeth, thenext adjacent row consists of three such teeth and so on up to andincluding nine teeth in a row, between which and the single tooth is aspace 99 unprovided with stops. Obviously, the number of rows of teethon the wheel may be greater or smaller than that shown and described,according to the work to be performed. In the relative arrangement ofthe teeth of the rack and those on the wheel 97 it is important that thedistance between teeth 71 shall be a multiple of the distance betweenteeth 98 in each row thereof. By providing the stoprack wheel as arotary member, it is adapted to be adjusted by turning to bring, atwill, the space 99, the single tooth 98, or any of the rows ofstop-teeth into the path of the rack 70. To secure the wheel 97 inadjusted position (see Figs. 11-12), it is provided in one end with acircular series of sockets 100, each adapted to receive a spring-pressedretaining pin 101 supported in a tubular housing 102 screwed into theupper portion of the lever 94 and provided with a handle 108 by which tomanipulate it. Thus by turning the wheel 97 to bring the space 99, thesingle tooth 98, or any row of teeth thereon into the path of the rack70, asocket 100A will register with the pin 101 to receive it and retainthe stop-rack wheel in its adjusted position.

The operation of the parts is so timed that during the first half of therotation of the shaft 47, in the direction indicated by the arrow uponit in Fig. 1, to lower the upper cutter-member 35 the engagement of thecam 45 with the lever 94 is such as to turn it to hold the wheel 97 inits normal lowered position, wherein the respective stop-teeth 98 arewithdrawn from the path of the rack 70. During this time the feed-shaftis not rotated because the rack 86 is turning the pinion 79 in thedirection to slide the pawl 81 over the teeth of the ratchet 80.Immediately after the head 33 carrying the cuttermember 35 begins torise under the continued rotation of the shaft 47, the cam 49 presentsto the lever 94 that portion of its face which permits the spring 95 toact in turning the lever, to raise the wheel 97 with its respectivetooth or row of teeth into the path of the rack 70, whereby when in theupstroke of the rack 86 it causes engagement of the pawl 81 with theratchet 80 to turn the feed-shaft 75, the carriage 38 will be moved bythe action of the pinion 77 upon the rack 72 until a stop-tooth 98 isencountered by a rack-tooth 71. Thereafter, the continued rotation oftheratchet until the pawl 81 encounters the cam-end of the finger todisengage it from the ratchet, will fail to exert any further rotatingaction on the shaft 75, since the strain of overcoming the obstructionof the respective stop-tooth 98 will overcome the friction between thewashers 82 and 83, thereby permitting the upper cuttermember 35 tocomplete its up-stroke during the stoppage of the carriage. As soon asthe action of the finger 90 disengages the pawl 81 from the ratchet 80,there being then no need for continuing the maintenance of the wheel 97in its raised position, the cam 40 attains such engagement with thelever 04 as to lower the wheel to its normal position, where it staysuntil the crank 48 again begins to raise the head.

The other feed, referred to, for effecting variation in the step-by-stepfeed of the carriage, involves the following-described construction: Onthe forward side of the carriage and extending longitudinally thereof(see Figs. 1, 13 and 15) is rigidly supported a rod 104 havingstop-teeth 105 depending from it. Each tooth, which has a beveled loweredge, is slotted through its upper part ,to the opening through whichthe rod 104 passes to adapt it to be clamped upon the rod by a set-screw106, loosening of which permits the tooth to be moved by sliding it uponthe rod to any desired position, wherein it may be secured by tighteningthe screw. On an extension 941 (F ig. 15) of the lever Q4 is pivoted afinger 107 which terminates in an upwardly turned stop-tooth108'containing an elongated slot 109, through which it is adjustablyfastened to the side of the eX- tension Q41 by a set-screw 110 to affordto the tooth 108 slight vertical adjustment. The teeth 105 are set aparton their supporting rod at varying intervals to correspond withvariations in the length of the tabs to be cut on the work. Vhenthisstop-device is used on the machine, the wheel 97 is set and securedby the pin 101 in position to register its space 99 with the rack 72,thereby placing the stop-wheel out of use. Then, after the head 33begins to rise, the action of the spring 95 on the lever 94 will raisethe tooth 108 into the path of a tooth 105 each time the cutter-member85 descends, to stop the feed during the. cutting operation in the sameway as described of the device 97. Obviously, the carriage may move tothe extent of the distance between successive teeth 105, being stoppedin each instance by the raised tooth 108 irrespective of the relativedistances apart of the teeth 105. The purpose of the slight adjustmentof the stop tooth 108 (see Fig. 15) is to permit it to be lowered out ofthe path of the teeth 105 when this stopdevice is out of use and thewheel 97 is in use.

Sometimes it is desirable to cause the reciprocating cutting-member toact repeatedly at the same point on the work. This occurs when thenumber of sheets to be cut renders the work too thick to be properlysevered by the knife, so that that number has to be divided intosections to-be cut successively. This could not be done if the carriagehad to be fed in each upstroke of the head 33, so that to adapt themachine to perform this function the feed of the carriage must bearrested during such repeated cuts of the knife. To accomplish thispurpose the following-described mechanism is provided:

Depending from the rail 40 of the track is a bracket 111 (see Figs. 1,13 and 14) adjacent to the shaft 75, where the latter has securedrigidly upon it a peripherally grooved collar 112. A rod 118, attachedat its lower end to a treadle 114, passes at its upper end through thebracket and through the arms 115 of an annular spring brake-band 116about the collar 112 in the groove thereof; the rod being surrounded bya spring 117 con fined between the brake-arm 115 by a nut 118 screwedupon the upper end of the rod. In the normal condition of thebrake-device, the band 116 loosely surrounds the collar 112 to avoidinterference with the rotation of the shaft 75 in the manner alreadydescribed for producing the feed of the carriage, the action of thespring 117 being to spread the arms -115 and thus expand the brake-band.By

depressing the treadle 114, however, the rod 113 is pulled downwardagainst the resistance of the spring 117 to lower the upper brake-arm 115 and thereby hug the band 1 16 labout the collar to brake the shaft.The braking action thus produced, which continues so long as the treadle114 remains depressed, is sufficient to overcome the friction betweenthe washers 82, 83 and thus avoid interference with the action of therack 86 notwithstanding stoppage of the feed.

For supporting the work, represented in the present instance as a book110, suitable means are provided on the carriage, the means illustratedcomprising the following-described construction: A table 120 (see Figs.1, 2 and 16) is supported on springs 121 surrounding posts 122 whichrise from the carriage near its opposite ends, the table beingadjustably confined on the springs by thumbnuts 123 working upon theupper ends of the posts, whereby raising the thumb-nuts enables thesprings to raise the table and lowering them lowers it against theresistance of the springs. The table is supported toward its inner edge,for guidance in its adjustments, by a depending stud 124, centrallybetween the table-ends, telescoping with a tubular post 125 on thecarriage. On the inner edge of the table is hinged a leaf 126 to adaptit to assume the inclined position represented in Fig. 16. This leaf isomitted from Fig. 1, since if it were there shown it would hide otherdetails which require to be presented to view in that figure. The posts121 rise from angle-bars 127 (Fig. 16a) extending transversely acrossthe carriage at its ends and slidingly engaging with similar butoppositely facing angle-bars 128 rigidly mounted on the carriage-ends,the bars 127 being connected by a plate 129 from which the hollow post125 rises. This construction enables the table to be moved back andforth 1 transversely of the carriage to adapt it to support wider andnarrower books 119,by sliding the bars 127 in the proper direction,set-screws 130 being provided for holding them in adjusted position. Onthe left-hand end of the carriage near its inner side (Fig. 1) ismounted in a socket 131 a vertical threaded post 132, fastened by athumb-screw 133 and carrying a sleeve 134 above which a nut 135 screwson the post to limit the rise of the sleeve. A lever 136 is fulcrumed onthis sleeve and resiliently sustained by a coiled spring 137 connectingit with the upper end of the post, the handle-end of the lever carryinga spring-pressed pawl 138 to engage with a ratchet-bar 139 rising fromthe forward end of the carriage, where it is pivoted though it isrendered rigid with reference to the engaging pawl 138 by passingupwardly through an opening (not shown), in which it fits, provided in abar 140 extending lengthwise of the carriage near its inner side andsupported at its ends on posts 141. The bar 140y is on the same level asthe lower stationary member 36 of the cutter and affords a rest for theleaves to be cut, which cross it.

To cut the index-tabs in the edges of a book, it may, if it becomparatively narrow, rest on the inclined table-leaf 126, as shown inFig. 16, with the leaves to be cut crossing the bar 140, on which theyare clamped by lowering the lever 136 against them to be held byengagement of the dog 138 with the ratchet-bar 139 5 and when the workis done, to release the book preparatory to its removal, disengagementof the pawl causes the spring 137 to raise the lever for the purpose. lfthe book be larger, it will rest on the table 120, the describedadjustment of which adapts it to support books or sheets of greater orlesser width.

Unless a dial 142 be provided, as and for the purpose hereinafterdescribed, the operatcr may prepare the sheets or book to be indexed byinserting between sections, each composed of a number of leaves to becut for the same index-character, strips of paper with their endsprojecting beyond the free edges of the sheets, which, with a bookadjusted in position on the machine to be operated upon, may be laid onthe stationary knifemember 36. The book being clamped in place, asdescribed, the operator curls the leaves backward into the conditionrepresented in Fig. 26, holding them by hand, and permits, for the iirstoperation of the machine, the number of sheets to be cut for theindexcharacter, as Y, preceding the final indexcharacter as Z, to dropwith the free edge resting on the lower cutter-member by freeing fromhis grasp that number of sheets, in which he is guided by the insertedstrip separating that number from the rest of theV sheets. Whenthe'first bunch of sheets has been thus cut, the next bunch is releasedby the hand ofthe operator to be cut, and so on through the book. As'shown in Fig. 16, all the sheets to be cut of the book 119 have beenoperated upon by the cutting mechanism except the last section ofsheets, the free edge of which rests upon the stationary cuttingmemberin position to be cut by the descent of the reciprocating member, thesheets previously cut having dropped to the position shown to take themout of the way. This dropping function is performed by mechanismdescribed as follows:

Fulcrurned between its ends on an outer side of the frame is anoset-lever 143 (see Figs. 1, 3, 27, 28 and 29) with its lower arm`set-screw 147 passing through the slot into a bearing on the adjacentside of the arm 145. On the upper, headed end of this arm is secured anangular shelf 148, which normally alines with the lower cutter-member 36and serves to support the free edges of the bunch of sheets preparatoryto cutting the same, the shelf supporting the sheet-edges throughout aportion of their length while the lower cutter-member supports only thelength thereof to be cut. After each cutting operation resulting fromthe descent of the knife 35, the action 'of the cam 50 turns the lever143 to withdraw the shelf 148 from the position in which it is shown inFigs. 27 and 28 to that represented in Fig. 29, thus withdrawing thesupport from the sheet-edgesand 'permitting them to drop to the positionrepresented in the last-named ligure. When the knife 35 is performingits cutting operation, the cam 50 occupies the position shown in Fig.28, wherein it is about to engage the lever 143, and it engages 'thelatter to withdraw the shelf while the knife is rising and the feed istaking place, the parts being so timed that the cani 50 permits thereturn of the shelf 148, under the action of the spring 144 on the lever143, with each arresting of the carriage, at which time the operatordrops another number, (releasing them from his hand one at a time) ofthe sheets, to be cut to rest at its free edge on the stationarycutter-member and the shelf. Moreover, the shelf 148 also serves as agage for the width of cut for the index-tabs. This is due to theadjustment ao'rded to the arm 145, which may be set further back from ornearer to the cutting edge of the lower cutting-member to permit agreater or less width of the edge-portion of the sheet or sheets toextend over theA cutting edge.

The cut'produced by the knife-mechanism being necessarily of rectangularshape, the

cutter-members are formed of corresponding shape, as represented; and toprevent forming too sharp an angle in the paper at which it would beliable to tear, the junction between the sections of each cutter-memberis slightly curved, as represented most clearly in Figs. 24 and 25, toproduce a rounded corner in the cut of the sheets.

For indicating to the operator the number of sheets to be released forsuccessive cuts and particularly to avoid the necessity of preparatorily separating the bunches through the medium of the slips, asdescribed, the machine may be equipped with an automatic dial-indicator,a desirable construction of which is shown in the drawings; particularreference being had to Figs. 21 to 23 inclusive.

At a boss 331 on the back of the head 33 a bearing is formed through thelatter for journaling a spindle 149 having pinned on its rear projectingend, to bear against the boss, a ratchet 150 and provided on its forwardportion with a collar 151 let into the face of the head for coperatingwith the ratchet to confine the s )indle against longitudinal movement.on an annular shoulder 152 on the face of the collar is mounted a metalwasher 153 carrying a forwardly projecting stud 154 to enter a hole 155in a dial 156 confmed against the face of the washer and which may be apaper disk. Another metal washer 157, containing a hole to register withthe hole 155 and receive the stud 154, is confined against the face ofthe dial by a thimble 158 on the forward rojecting end of the spindle149, from whici extends a screw-stem 159 to receive a nut 160 forfastening the thimble to clamp the parts 153, 156 and 157 frictionallytogether. The dial 156 is provided about its center with acircumferential series of characters, which may be the letters of thealphabet, or other characters, to correspond with those of the index.With a dial thus provided, the operator, after he has ascertained thenumber of sheets for each index-character, marks the dial accordingly,in a series about the characters thereon, with the number of leaves tobe cut for each as represented in Fig. 23. A separate dial may .thus beprovided for each job. After the parts of the dial-mechanism, namely thewashers with the dial 156 between them, have been assembled on thespindle 149, a cover 161 is fastened to the face of the head 33 in.position to cover the dial, when the thimble 158 and the nut 160 areapplied. An opening 162 is provided in the dial-cover through which toex ose, one at a time, the characters on the dia with the numberbelonging to each. On the head 88 of the connecting-rod 87 extendingfrom the crank 48, is pivoted a pawl 163 held yieldingly in engagementwith the ratchet 150 by a spring154. By this construction each completerotation of the shaft 47 causes the head 88 to turn on its pivot toretract the dog 163 and slide it over a tooth of the ratchet 150 and toengage it with that tooth to turn the ratchet and yrotate the dial tocause it to register the characters thereon with their respectivenumbers successively at the casing-opening by the successive operationof the machine. Thus the operator is informed by a glance at thedial-device of how many sheets must be bunched together to be cut by thenext operation of the machine for a given character, or for particularlegend-matter on the index corresponding with the marking on the dial.

From the foregoing description the operation of the machine will beunderstood to be as follows, with reference to the letters of thealphabet used, as represented, for the index-characters and printed inproper order on sheets of the book at their edge-portions.

With a book clamped in position the operator, after letting down theback cover to permit it to hang, counts off or releases one at a time,from his hand holding all the sheets in the curved conditionrepresented, the number of sheets, the last released of which bears onits edge-portion the letter r This bunch, obviously, does not require tobe cut, so is let-down with the back cover. The next number of sheets isthen released, the last so released bearing the letter 17, and thisbunch crosses the bar 140 to rest at its free edge on the cuttermember36 and shelf 148. This is done while the parts of the machine are in thel relative positions represented and at rest, except for the continuousrotation of the pulley 44 and gear 46. The operator, seated in front ofthe machine, then places his foot on the treadle 62 to depress it andeffect clutching of the gear to the drive-shaft and produce itscontinuous rotation while the treadle remains so depressed. 1n the firstrotation of the shaft the cutter-member 35 descends to cut a section outof the sheets beneath it from the character 17" to the end of the bunchof sheets, and thereupon the shelf turns backward under the action ofthe cam 50 to permit the cut sheets to drop and the knife rises, whilethe cam 49 raises the wheel 97 (see Fig. 13) into the path of the rack70, or the stop-tooth 108 into the path of the teeth 105, as the casemay be,

and while the rack 86 (see Figs. 16 and 17) effects turning of theratchet 80 to rotate the shaft 75, which causes the pinion 77 upon it,by its engagement with the rack 72, to advance the carriage 69 until itis stopped by the first tooth 71 of the rack 70 encountering a tooth 98in its path on the wheel 97, or by a tooth 105 encountering a stop-tooth108, whichever stop-device is in use. Tithout further feeding thecarriage the shaft 75 continues to rotate until the finger 70 releasesthe pawl 81 from the ratchet 80, when the spring` 95 retracts the Wheel97 (or tooth 108). The operator frees the next set of the completenessof the machine since they leaves up to the leaf bearing the letter thusplacing the bunch in position to be cut by the descent of thecutter-member, with a repetition of the operations already described.The feeding and cutting are repeated in the saine manner until all thecuts' have been made to complete the index. lf a bunch of sheets,because of its thickness, requires to -be cut repeatedly in the sameplace, the knife 85 is caused to rise and descend on each section of thebunch placed beneath it without actuating the feed, by the operatordepressing` the treadle 114 (see Figs. 1, 3,13 and 14) to apply thebrake 116 to the collar 112 and lock the shaft 75 to overcome itsfriction-drive, involving the washers 82, 83.

The carriage may be returned from any point of its advance entirely toor part way toward its initial position (with the treadle 62 released tounclutch the drive-shaft) by turning in the direction toward the leftthe hand-Wheel to rotate the shaft 75 and cause the gear 77 to reverseits action on the rack 72, thereby overcoming the friction-drive of thefeed-shaft. r

l/Vhile the two forms of the stop-device for the feed, herein shown anddescribed, operate on the same general principle for the same generalpurpose, the f alternative constructions or modifications one of theother, but both are necessary to are not adapted for the same identicalpurpose. The wheel-arm is not susceptible of use for other than auniform step-by-step feed, and presents the advantage of readyadjustment for varying the extent of the uniform steps; while the deviceinvolving the adjustable teeth 105 is particularly adapted for practicaluse where the machine is required to produce feed-steps varying inlength.

Vhat 1 claim as new and desire to-secure by Letters Patent is- 1. In anindex-cutting machine, the combination with a reciprocating memberhaving a cutter, of a carriage for the work movable on'the track, 'afeed-shaft, a track, geared to the carriage, a stop-rack on thecarriage, and a rotatably mounted wheel provided with stop-teeth in rowsand niovdo not present able into and out of the path of said rack, thespaces between teeth in each row thereof forming lequal divisions of thespace between adjacent teeth of the stop-rack, for the purpose setforth.

2. In an index-cutting machine, the combination with a reciprocatingmember having a cutter, of a track, a carriage for the work movable onthe track, a feed-shaft geared to the carriage, a stop-rack on thecarriage having uniformly spaced teeth, a rotatably mounted Wheelprovided with stop-teeth in rows, and with a blank space,

upon it to vary their distances apart, and a stop-tooth movable into andout of the path of said second rack, for the purpose set forth.

3. In an index-cutting machine, the coinbiiiation with a frame, of adrive-shaft j ournaled thereon containing a crank-section and carrying acam, a cutter on the frame having a vertically reciprocating memberconnected with said crank-section, a track, a carriage for the workmovable on the track, a rack on said carriage, a feed-shaft having afriction-drive geared to said reciprocating member, a pinion on saidshaft engaging the rack, a stop-rack on the carriage having its teethuniformly spaced apart, a lever fulcrumed on the frame and engaging atone end with said cam, and a wheel rotatably mounted on the opposite endof the lever and provided with stop-teeth in rows to engage with tliestop-rack, the spaces between the teeth in each row thereof formingequal divisions of the space between adjacent teeth of the stop-rack,for the purpose set forth. v

4. AIn an index-cutting machine, the combination with a frame, of adrive-shaft journaled thereon containing a craiik-section and carrying acam, a cutter on the frame having a vertically reciprocating memberconnected with said crank, a track, a carriage for the work movable onthe track, a rack on said carriage, a feed-shaft having a friction-drivegeared to said reciprocatingl member, a pinion on said shaft and a leverfor actuating said brake-device engaging the rack, a stop-rack on thecarriage having its teeth uniformly spaced apart, a vspring-rey tractedlever fulcrumed on the frame and engaging at its lower end with saidcam, an extension on the upper end of the lever, a wheel rotatablymounted on said lever and provided with stop-teeth in rows to engagewith the stop-rack and with a blank space, the spaces between the teethin each row thereof forming equal divisions of the space betweenadjacent teeth of the stop-rack, a second stop-rack on the carriageconsisting of a barwith depending teeth adjustable upon it to vary theirdistances apart, and a stop-tooth adjustably supported on saidlever-extension to engage with said second stop-rack, for the purposeset forth.

5. In an index-cutting machine, the combination with a reciprocatingmember having a cutter, of Work movable on the track, a feed-shafthaving a rack and pinion connection with the carriage, stop-mechanismcooperating with the carriage to produce step-by-step movement thereof,and a brake-device on the feed-shaft and a lever for actuating saidYbrake-device, for the purpose set forth.

6. In an index-cutting machine, the combination with a reciprocatingmember having a cutter, of a track, a carriage for the work movable onthe track, a feed-shaft having a rack and pinion connection with thecarriage, stop-mechanism cooperating with the carriage to producestep-by-step movement thereof, a pulley on the feed-shaft, a brake-bandon the pulley having arms, a spring confined between said arms, atreadle and a treadle-actuated rod engaging one of said arms, for thepurpose set forth.

7. In an index-cutting machine, the combination with a reciprocatingmember having a cutter, of a track, a carriage for the work movable onthe track, a feed-shaft having a rack and pinion connection with thecarriage, stop-mechanism cooperating with the carriage to producestep-by-step movement thereof, a pulley on the feed-shaft, a springbrake-band about the pulley having arms, a treadle, and atreadle-actuated rod passing through one of said arms and engaging theother and having a spring confined about it between the arms, for thepurpose set forth.

8. In an index-cutting machine, the combination with a frame, of adrive-shaft journaled thereon containing a crank, a verticallyreciprocating head carrying a cuttermember, a rod connecting saidcutter-ineinber and crank, a track, a carriage for the Work movable onthe track, a feed-shaft having a rack and pinion connection with thecarriage, a friction-drive on the feed-shaft having a rack and pinionconnection with said head, stop-mechanism cooperating With the carriageto produce step-by-step movement thereof, a dial-carrying spindlejournaled on said head and having a ratchet, and a pawl connected withsaid rod and engaging said ratchet, for the purpose set forth.

9. In an index-cutting machine, the combination with a frame, of adrive-shaft ournaled thereon containing a crank, a verticallyreciprocating head carrying a cuttermember, a rod connecting saidcutter-inember and crank, a track, a carriage for the work movable onthe track, a feed-shaft having a rack and pinion connection with thecarriage, a friction-drive on the feed-shaft having a rack and pinionconnection with said head, stop-mechanism cooperating with the carriageto produce a step-by-step movement thereof, a dial-device having a dialrotatably and removably supported on said head, a casing covering thedial and provided with an opening through which the dial is exposed, aratchet connected with said dial, and a pawl on said rod engaging theratchet, for the purpose set forth.

10. In an index-cutting machine, the coinbination with a frame, of adrive-shaft journaled thereon containing a crank, averticallyreciprocating head carrying a cuttermember, a rod connecting saidcutter-ineinber and crank, a track, a carriage for the work movable onthe track, afeed-shafthaving a rack and pinion connection with thecarriage, a friction-drive on'the feed-shaft having a rack and pinionconnection with said head, stop-mechanism coperating with the carriageto produce step-by-step movement thereof, a dial-device consisting of aspindle journaled on said head and carrying a ratchet, a dial releasablyclamped between washers on said spindle with a stud on one washerprojecting through the other washer and the interposed dial, a casingremovably supported on said head to cover the dial and containing anopening, and a spring-controlled pawl extending from said rod intoengagement with the ratchet, for the purpose set forth.

FREDERICK I. ROSBACK. In presence of- J. II. LANDES, R. A. SCHAFER.

